Eurofighter has offered Finland the chance to join Europe’s largest combat aircraft program in an updated proposal to the HX fighter acquisition program.
The proposal has been submitted by the UK Government with the support of the Governments of Germany, Italy and Spain, the nations which are represented in the Eurofighter industry consortium.
It offers Finland sovereign control of its defence capability and security of supply as well as a combat proven, swing-role aircraft which will form the backbone of European defence for decades to come.
The detailed proposal updates on the original offer made to the HX fighter acquisition program to replace the Finnish Air Force’s F-18 Hornet aircraft.
John Rossall, Campaign Director at BAE Systems which is working alongside the UK Government the offer to Finland, said: “We are delighted to present our updated proposal to Finland on behalf of the Eurofighter consortium.
“Our proposal is an invitation to Finland to join leading nations in Europe with a shared defence objective.
“By choosing Eurofighter, the Finnish Air Force would not only be acquiring the most advanced, multi-role aircraft on the market, it would be choosing everything Finland needs to operate, maintain and control its own aircraft in peacetime and in times of crisis.”
In January, Eurofighter took part in the HX Challenge Flight Evaluation Trials, led by the Finnish Defence Forces in Tampere.
The trials saw two [UK] Royal Air Force jets perform over a five-day period to demonstrate many of the capabilities which form the offering of the Eurofighter consortium, which teams BAE Systems alongside leading European defence contractors Airbus and Leonardo.
Ahead of the trials, representatives of the Governments of the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain confirmed their commitment to a capability roadmap which will keep Eurofighter in the frontline of European defence for decades to come.
